Since turning pro in 1997-98, centre Matt Higgins has been a part-time player for the Montreal Canadiens. A fine scorer in junior, his role in the pros has been more defensive.

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Higgins starred with the Vernon Lakers of the BCAHA in 1992-93. He then moved on to the Moose Jaws Warriors of the WHL for four years and was selected 18th overall by the Habs in 1996. After topping the 30-goal mark three straight years in Moose Jaw, Higgins spent most of his first pro season with the AHL's Fredericton Canadiens.

The young pivot played 25 games in each of the 1998-99 and 1999-00 seasons as the Habs experienced injury woes. Higgins played most of the 2000-01 season with the Quebec Citadelles of the AHL and found himself at a crossroads in terms of his NHL aspirations.

REGULAR SEASON

PLAYOFFS

Season

Club

League

GP

G

A

TP

PIM

+/-

GP

G

A

TP

PIM

1992-93

Vernon Bantam Lakers

Minor-BC

70

53

76

129

54

1993-94

Moose Jaw Warriors

WHL

64

6

10

16

10

1994-95

Moose Jaw Warriors

WHL

72

36

34

70

26

10

1

2

3

2

1995-96

Moose Jaw Warriors

WHL

67

30

33

63

43

1996-97

Moose Jaw Warriors

WHL

71

33

57

90

51

12

3

5

8

2

1997-98

Montreal Canadiens

NHL

1

0

0

0

0

-1

1997-98

Fredericton Canadiens

AHL

50

5

22

27

12

+10

4

1

2

3

2

1998-99

Montreal Canadiens

NHL

25

1

0

1

0

-2

1998-99

Fredericton Canadiens

AHL

11

3

4

7

6

-1

5

0

2

2

0

1999-00

Montreal Canadiens

NHL

25

0

2

2

4

-6

1999-00

Quebec Citadelles

AHL

29

1

15

16

21

-4

2000-01

Montreal Canadiens

NHL

6

0

0

0

2

-2

2000-01

Quebec Citadelles

AHL

66

10

18

28

18

-4

8

0

1

1

4

2001-02

Bridgeport Sound Tigers

AHL

43

13

19

32

24

+10

15

1

0

1

6

2002-03

Bridgeport Sound Tigers

AHL

45

11

12

23

30

-10

2

0

0

0

2

2003-04

Iserlohn Roosters

Germany

50

14

17

31

28

2004-05

Iserlohn Roosters

Germany

25

9

14

23

16

2005-06

Iserlohn Roosters

Germany

47

12

32

44

79

2006-07

ERC Ingolstadt

Germany

44

11

29

40

14

1

0

0

0

0

2007-08

ERC Ingolstadt

Germany

18

7

12

19

6

3

1

2

3

2

2008-09

ERC Ingolstadt

Germany

32

3

11

14

16

NHL Totals

57

1

2

3

6

Signed as a free agent by Bridgeport (AHL), December 26, 2001. Signed as a free agent by Iserlohn (Germany), August 8, 2003. Signed as a free agent by Ingolstadt (Germany), June, 2006.